nationalité
/na.sjɔ.na.li.te/feminine
The French word for nationality is nationalité.
The term refers to the membership of a nation or state.
Meaning: membership of a nation or state (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
nationalité is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /na.sjɔ.na.li.te/. It has 5 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French grammar, adjectives used to describe nationalité are not capitalized, unlike in English. One writes nationalité française with a lowercase 'f'.
- In France, the concept of nationalité is tied to le droit du sol, or 'right of the soil', meaning children born on French territory can often acquire the nationality regardless of their parents' origins.
- The word nationalité shares the same Latin root as the English word 'nation', which originally referred to a 'birth' or 'tribe' rather than a political state.
Examples in context
- Quelle est ta nationalité ?What is your nationality?Tatoeba #3077609 by Aiji, translation #1089463 by Eldad
- Quelle est votre nationalité ?What's your nationality?In formal contexts or when filling out official documents, the phrase 'Quelle est votre nationalité ?' is the standard way to ask for someone's nationality.Tatoeba #3077607 by Aiji, translation #2713454 by CK
- Il a la nationalité algérienne.He has Algerian nationality.Tatoeba #12480578 by always, translation #8594225 by Amastan
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are discussing their administrative paperwork at a library.
- LucasTu dois préciser ta nationalité sur ce formulaire.You must specify your nationality on this form.
- ManonD'accord, je note ma nationalité française ici.Okay, I am writing my French nationality here.
- LucasEst-ce que ta nationalité est déjà enregistrée ?Is your nationality already registered?
- ManonNon, je remplis tout pour la première fois.No, I am filling everything out for the first time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nationality” translations and entries nationalité, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nationalité, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
